Georgia may have been on your mind for a while now – the Caucasus, vineyards, monasteries perched on cliffs and food that everyone raves about. But then come the practical doubts: how much does it actually cost, when’s the best time to go, and can you manage on your own or are you better off booking a tour? These are exactly the questions we asked ourselves before we first set off.
You’ll find three things here: up-to-date tour and flight prices, which we refresh every morning; our tips from our own trips and articles on what’s really worth it; and a plan for when and what to book so you don’t end up overpaying.
What to see and do in Georgia
Georgia is small in size but incredibly varied – on a single trip you can take in a big city, the mountains and the sea. Here are the places people come for:
- Tbilisi – a vibrant capital with a historic quarter, sulphur baths and a great café and bar scene. Easily give it 2–3 days.
- Ushguli – one of the highest permanently inhabited villages in Europe, the heart of Svaneti with its stone defensive towers and views of snow-capped peaks.
- Kutaisi – often the first stop thanks to cheap flights, but it’s worth more than just an overnight: canyons, caves and monasteries nearby.
- Kazbegi and Gergeti Church – the iconic hilltop church beneath Mount Kazbek (5,047 m), a stone’s throw from the Russian border.
- The Kakheti wine region – the cradle of winemaking in qvevri clay vessels, perfect for tastings.
If you’re planning a longer trip, take a look at our Georgia holiday with a 10-day itinerary – it links all these places into a logical route.
When to visit Georgia
The best time to visit Georgia is May, June and September. The weather is pleasant, the mountain passes are open and it’s not as scorching as in summer. If you’re heading into the mountains (Svaneti, Kazbegi), bear in mind that the highest areas and treks are usually safely accessible only from June to September – earlier than that there can still be snow.
July and August are the hottest, and in the lowlands (Tbilisi, Kakheti) temperatures can climb above 35 °C. The mountains, though, are at their most beautiful at this time, and the Black Sea coast (Batumi) is buzzing. For the grape harvest, head to Kakheti at the turn of September and October.
Winter has its charm if you ski – resorts like Gudauri run from December to March. Beyond skiing, though, many mountain areas are practically cut off in winter and a lot of guesthouses are closed.
Tohle jsou zážitky, díky kterým je Gruzie tak jedinečná – vybrali jsme je z vlastních cest a článků:
- Trek a věže ve Svanetii – návštěva Ushguli a okolních kamenných věží patří k nejsilnějším zážitkům celé cesty.
- Sirné lázně v Tbilisi – historické lázeňské čtvrti Abanotubani si nenechte ujít, je to autentický rituál.
- Ochutnávka vína v Kachetii – víno z hliněných kvevri ochutnáte přímo u vinařů, často s domácím jídlem.
- Kostel Gergeti pod Kazbekem – výstup nebo výlet k jednomu z nejfotografovanějších míst Kavkazu.
- Kaňony a jeskyně u Kutaisi – kaňon Martvili a jeskyně Prometheus se dají skvěle spojit z Kutaisi.
- Gruzínská kuchyně – chačapuri, chinkali a čurčchela; jídlo je tady samo o sobě důvod, proč přijet.
How to get to Georgia
From the Czech Republic the most common way to reach Georgia is with one stopover – direct flights from Prague tend to be seasonal and irregular. The main gateway is Tbilisi airport, with Kutaisi the second most common option, served by cheap low-cost flights (often via Warsaw, Vienna, Budapest or Istanbul). The total journey with a connection works out at roughly 6–10 hours depending on the route.
Driving is theoretically possible but tough in practice – the route runs through Turkey and adds up to more than 4,000 km one way. For an ordinary holiday it makes sense to fly and rent a car on the spot if needed. From the airports you can reach the centres by taxi, shared minibuses (marshrutkas) or ride-hailing apps.
Do Gruzie se z Česka nejčastěji létá s jedním přestupem (například přes Varšavu, Vídeň, Budapešť nebo Istanbul). Hlavní vstupní branou je letiště v Tbilisi, zatímco do Kutaisi míří hlavně levné lowcostové lety a slouží jako regionální alternativa. Konkrétní spojení a tipy najdete v našem článku o dovolené v Gruzii.
Renting a car
A car is worth it in Georgia if you want the freedom to travel off the marshrutka routes – say to Kakheti for wine, or on loops around Kutaisi. On the other hand, we don’t recommend it for the toughest mountain roads (especially to Ushguli), where the terrain is rough and you’re often better off hiring a local driver with a 4×4. In Tbilisi itself a car is more of a hindrance – the parking and traffic aren’t worth it.
- Book through a rental comparison site and ahead of time in season – on the spot it tends to be pricier and harder to find.
- Insurance and deposit: pay extra for full coverage and expect a deposit hold on your card.
- Watch out for the local driving style and the state of the roads off the main routes – for the mountains, a 4×4 is a must.
- Check the vehicle when you pick it up and photograph any existing damage.
Where to stay in Georgia
Accommodation is one of the most pleasant items in any Georgia budget – you get a lot for very little. We had great experiences with family-run guesthouses, where you often get a home-cooked breakfast and dinner and experience Georgian hospitality first-hand (we especially recommend this in the mountains).
- Tbilisi – an ideal base for a few days; choose the Old Town and its surroundings for atmosphere and walkability.
- Kutaisi – a practical stop for low-cost flights and trips in the area.
- Svaneti (Mestia, Ushguli) – guesthouses with home cooking; book ahead, as capacity is limited.
- Kakheti – wine estates offering accommodation and tastings right on site.
In high season (summer and early autumn), and especially in the mountains, places fill up fast, so book well in advance. Cities tend to have more last-minute options, but don’t count on that in the small villages.
Package tour or independent travel?
Georgia can be done either way – it mainly comes down to how much time and energy you want to put into planning. Here’s our honest comparison:
A tour is worth it when…
- you want transport, accommodation and the programme sorted for you;
- it’s your first time and the mountain roads and logistics worry you a little;
- you’re short on time and want to see the most in just a few days;
- you’ll appreciate a Czech-speaking guide and peace of mind.
Go independently when…
- you want flexibility and your own pace (wherever you like it, you stay);
- you don’t mind arranging flights, accommodation and transfers yourself;
- you want to save money – Georgia is cheap and works out well on your own;
- you’re drawn to authentic contact with locals and guesthouses.
The two of us are firmly a “do-it-yourself” team – Georgia is ideal for independent travel, cheap and welcoming. But if it’s your first visit, you’re short on time or you’d rather not deal with mountain logistics, a tour will save you the stress and makes sense. For a first visit, feel free to combine the two: an organised trip into the demanding mountains and the rest at your own pace.
Budget: daily costs in Georgia
| Level | Accommodation | Food | Transport & activities | Total/day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Backpacker | 300–500 Kč (hostel, shared room, cheap guesthouse) | 200–350 Kč (street food, khinkali, local eateries) | 150–300 Kč (marshrutkas, entry fees, shared trips) | 700–1,100 Kč |
| Standard | 700–1,200 Kč (guesthouse, 3* hotel, private room) | 400–700 Kč (restaurants, wine, cafés) | 400–800 Kč (taxi/apps, half-day trips) | 1,500–2,700 Kč |
| Comfort | 1,500–3,000 Kč (better hotels, boutique guesthouses) | 800–1,500 Kč (quality restaurants, wine tastings) | 1,000–2,500 Kč (private driver, organised tours) | 3,300–7,000 Kč |
Prices are approximate and calculated per person per day (excluding flights). Georgia is one of the more affordable destinations — even at the standard level you can eat and stay for a fraction of what you’d spend in Western Europe.
How to save when planning
- Book flights 2–4 months ahead. For Georgia that’s usually the sweet spot between price and choice; low-cost flights to Kutaisi are the cheapest, but factor in baggage surcharges. Search for flights in our finder.
- Book mountain accommodation well in advance – capacity in Mestia and Ushguli is limited and disappears in season. In the cities, on the other hand, you’ll often save by booking last minute. Our accommodation tips.
- Go last minute for tours, or first minute for the mountains – keep an eye on the current tours on this page; we refresh the offers every morning.
- Where people overpay: taxis without an agreed fare and airport exchange offices. Pay through an app and change money once you’re in the city.
- Popular trips and treks (Svaneti, the canyons) should be booked early so you don’t pay more on the spot. What to book in advance.
Practical information
- Language: the official language is Georgian (with its own alphabet). In Tbilisi and tourist spots you’ll get by in English, while Russian works among the older generation.
- Currency and payments: the currency is the Georgian lari (GEL). Cards are no problem in the cities, but always carry cash in the countryside and mountains. There are plenty of ATMs.
- Internet and data: the easiest option is an eSIM, which you activate before departure so you have data the moment you land. Coverage is excellent in cities and, logically, weaker in remote mountains.
- Safety: Georgia is generally safe, with low crime. Just watch out for the driving style and the mountain roads. The Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions are off-limits – avoid them.
- Tip: Georgian hospitality is legendary – if someone invites you to a supra (feast), don’t say no. And learn to say “gaumarjos” (cheers) ☺️
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for Georgia?
What currency is used in Georgia?
Is Georgia safe for tourists?
When is the best time to travel to Georgia?
How do I get to Georgia from the Czech Republic?
Is it worth renting a car in Georgia?
How much does a holiday in Georgia cost per day?
Will I get by in English in Georgia?
Tips and Tricks for Your Vacation
Don’t Overpay for Flights
Search for flights on Kayak. It’s our favorite search engine because it scans the websites of all airlines and always finds the cheapest connection.
Book Your Accommodation Smartly
The best experiences we’ve had when looking for accommodation (from Alaska to Morocco) are with Booking.com, where hotels, apartments, and entire houses are usually the cheapest and most widely available.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Good travel insurance will protect you against illness, accidents, theft, or flight cancellations. We’ve had a few hospital visits abroad, so we know how important it is to have proper insurance arranged.
Where we insure ourselves: SafetyWing (best for everyone) and TrueTraveller (for extra-long trips).
Why don’t we recommend any Czech insurance company? Because they have too many restrictions. They set limits on the number of days abroad, travel insurance via a credit card often requires you to pay medical expenses only with that card, and they frequently limit the number of returns to the Czech Republic.
Find the Best Experiences
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can book guided walks, trips, skip-the-line tickets, tours, and much more. We always find some extra fun there!
